The joint Opposition held a symbolic session at a local hotel in the provincial capital, electing PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz as the Chief Minister of Punjab. The move came after the government sealed off the Punjab Assembly.
Members from the PML-N, PPP, PTI’s Jahangir Khan Tareen, and Abdul Aleem Khan groups attended the symbolic session, with PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz also present.
A resolution was presented during the session to elect Hamza as the new chief minister, which was accepted, with PML-N leader and MPA Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan claiming that more than 200 MPAs were in attendance during the ceremony.
Read more: Nawaz Sharif agrees to give Punjab CM seat to PML-Q
Videos of different moments from the PML-N session went viral on social media. Of course, netizens, including PTI leaders had a lot to say about PML-N “electing” Hamza Shehbaz on its own as the Punjab Chief Minister. While sharing the videos, Twitter users are heavily trolling PML-N.
Reactions to PML-N’s symbolic session
Former SAPM on political communication Dr. Shahbaz Gill called the entire PML-N family a circus. He retweeted a video of Maryam Nawaz weeping and hugging Hamza Shehbaz while congratulating him.
“Cry, cry, there is still a lot to cry about. What a circus this family is,” Dr. Shahbaz Gill tweeted.
رو لیں رو کیں ابھی تو بہت رونا باقی ہے۔ یہ خاندان بھی کیا سرکس ہے۔ باپ اسلام آباد کے ہوٹل سارا دن اچکن پہن کر بیٹھا رہتا ہے اور بیٹا اب فلیٹیز ہوٹل میں وزیراعلی کی واسکٹ پہن کر بیٹھا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/IrCDYM6n9p
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) April 6, 2022
Meanwhile, former Minister of State for Climate Change, Zartaj Gul, while taking a dig at PML-N “electing” Hamza Shehbaz, said Capt. Safdar, who is Maryam Nawaz’s husband, will become the Army Chief.
“The ceremony to make Captain Safdar Army Chief will be held tomorrow at a local hotel in Lahore,” Zartaj Gul tweeted.
کیپٹن صفدر کو آرمی چیف بنانے کی تقریب کل لاہور کے ایک مقامی ہوٹل میں ہو گی 😂 pic.twitter.com/9BDRPSeDcK
— Zartaj Gul Wazir (@zartajgulwazir) April 6, 2022
Similarly, the public took to Twitter to troll PML-N. Netizens sarcastically announced they held their own sessions with political dignitaries and got elected for top government positions.
“I have had a US Congress session in my living room and have unanimously been elected President of the United States of America,” one netizen tweeted.
I have had a US Congress session in my living room and have unanimously been elected President of the United States of America 🇺🇸 😂😂😂 https://t.co/Q6liCQuojP
— SJ Ahmed (@SuhaibJAhmed) April 6, 2022
Congratulations to Hamza Shahbaz for becoming the CM of Faletti's hotel Lahore. 🤣👀🐓🦚#PunjabAssembly #HamzaShahbaz pic.twitter.com/DFEZnKTJq4
— 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐇𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐑 𝐊𝐇𝐀𝐍 (@itsshamikhan) April 6, 2022
Not the first time?
Interestingly, PML-N often holds symbolic and mock sessions when political situations take an unfavorable turn. For instance, following the rejection of the no-confidence motion on Sunday, the joint Opposition held its own National Assembly session.
Former speaker and PML-N leader Sardar Ayaz Sadiq presided over the meeting as Speaker. Meanwhile, Murtaza Javed Abbasi announced the panel of chairs.
Symbolic speaker Ayaz Sadiq gave his ruling against the ruling of Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri while holding the seat of Speaker. The symbolic speaker while rejecting Qasim Suri’s ruling said that it was against the constitution.
Read more: PTI’s Qasim Khan Suri rules Pakistani and Indian media
Similarly, for the election of the Punjab Chief Minister, the Punjab Assembly adjourned the session until April 6, then postponed it to April 16th shortly after. Yesterday, the PA Deputy Speaker called a provincial assembly session to elect a new chief minister of the province at 7:30 pm.
However, PTI submitted a no-confidence motion against the Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, barring him from holding the session. As a result, PML-N held its symbolic session.